Resource Partners exits World Class Romania

On April 15th 2022, Vectr Fitness (part of African Industries Group, a group of privately held companies), and Resource Partners, the majority shareholder of World Class Romania, announced the execution of a transaction incorporating the company under Vectr Fitness structure. Upon completion of the transaction Resource Partners will fully exit the Company, while the management team led by Kent Orrgren, the CEO, will continue to run World Class Romania and stay as minority shareholders.

The transaction confirms Resource Partners’ ability to support Central European market leaders in the consumer space in their growth. World Class is the leading operator of health & fitness clubs and swimming pools in Romania. Originally, the majority stake in World Class was acquired by Resource Partners in 2014, who sponsored management buy-out at the time. 

Over the holding period World Class Romania increased its network four times and currently operates 41 active health & fitness clubs and 20 swimming pools clubs. The Company has made 7 acquisitions and integrated them into own network. World Class Romania has also successfully developed new sales initiatives such as digitalisation of the process, introduction of monthly payment system and in-club sales of food and beverage.

The acquisition of World Class Romania represents another stage of African Industries Group investment in the country, following a number of prior investments in real estate, agriculture and agriculture equipment distribution. 

“I am very happy that World Class Romania will be part of the AIG, who is a reputable investor in Romania. Over the last years of our holding period, with the support of the management team led by Kent Orrgren, we managed to create clear market leader in the fitness industry on the 20-million people market. We have invested alongside the team which managed to increase the scale of the Company and significantly improved the Company’s operations despite the challenge faced after Covid-19 pandemic. We hope that joining African Industries Group will allow World Class Romania to further expand its scale.” says Dan Farcasanu, Country Director Romania at Resource Partners.

“We are very optimistic about Romanian market growth and actively engage in evaluating investment opportunities in different areas and industries in the country. World Class Romania is our first investment in health and wellness industry that we plan to develop further, working together with the existing team.” says Raj Gupta, Chairman of African Industries Group.

"We are thankful for all the support and trust that Resource Partners invested in World Class and the World Class team. It was a successful growth journey in both good times and challenging times. World Class is today the largest health & fitness clubs and swimming pools network in the country. World Class has become a symbol of a healthier and more active lifestyle. We are now joining forces with AIG in continuing to develop the network, further expand it to new strategic locations, our services of clubs offering, be a force for improving the health of Romanians and accelerating the mission: to inspire more Romanians to be more active more often and live a healthy lifestyle” says Kent Orrgren, CEO World Class Romania.

World Class Romania and its shareholders were advised by Stratulat Albulescu – Attorneys at Law.

Vectr Fitness was advised by Radu Taracila Padurari Retevoiescu SCA in respect of transaction advisory and Deloitte Romania in respect of Commercial, Finance, Tax advisory.